Woodpecker Damage on a Home in Milford, MI: Why Proper Trim Matters With James Hardie Siding
When homeowners in Milford, MI choose James Hardie siding, they’re investing in one of the most durable exterior products on the market. But during a recent siding project in Milford, we found a major issue — and it wasn’t the Hardie siding itself. It was the cheap wood trim installed by the original builder.
As we removed the old materials, we uncovered a piece of trim that a woodpecker had drilled straight through. Yes, completely through the board.
The Hidden Problem in Many Milford Homes
The James Hardie siding on this Milford home was performing well, just as it should. The problem was the wood trim, which builders often use to save money. Unfortunately, wood trim is vulnerable in several ways that matter in Michigan’s climate:
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Woodpeckers and birds target wood when searching for insects
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Pests easily burrow into soft or weathered trim
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Moisture from Michigan’s freeze–thaw cycles leads to rot
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Premature failure compromises the entire siding system
In this case, the woodpecker damage was so severe that the trim looked like it had been drilled with a hole saw.
Why Milford Homeowners Should Avoid Wood Trim
Your trim is more than decoration — it protects the most vulnerable parts of your home. Even if you invest in high-quality fiber cement siding, using wood trim puts your home at risk for moisture intrusion, pest activity, and long-term damage.
For homes in Milford and across Oakland County, we always recommend fiber cement or PVC trim to match the durability of James Hardie siding. These materials resist pests, don’t attract woodpeckers, and hold up far better in Michigan’s four-season weather.
A Note About the Video
If the video looks a little grainy, we apologize — not sure what happened during the upload. But even with the lower quality, the extent of the woodpecker damage is crystal clear.